Safety cut-off for coal chutes



April 29, 1930. M. POWELL SAFETY CUT-OFF FOR COAL CHUTES Filed Sept. 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 29, 1930. M. POWELL SAFETY CUT-OFF FOR COAL QHUTES Filed Sept. 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .IH L lwi I vV//// VIIIIIIIIIII/I/I |r1\ Eli TIGER flax Pox/ell Patented Apr. 29, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAX POWELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO OGLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS Y SAFETY CUT-OFF FOR COAL CHUTES Application filed September This invention relates to a safety cut off for coal chutes.

In coal chutes from which the coal is conveyed from a bin to a car or the like, there is a gate which controls the escape of the coal. lVhen the gate is closed to shut off the coal, it frequently happens that a lump of coal becomes clogged under the gate preventing the same from being tightly closed, consequently, it is possible for coal to escape upon the track after the car has passed.

This invention is designed to overcome this defect in the provision of means movable for closing the end of the chute when the movable portion of the coal chute is actuated into inoperative position.

The invention comprises the novel structure and combination of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which il lustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the diffcrent views:

011 the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a coal storage bin and the coal unloading mechanism therefor, including a movable chute. The storage bin is shown in elevated position for feeding coal by gravity into a car or the like.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the coal unloading chute illustrating the movable portion of the chute in elevated position and the gate and safety cut off in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing the movable portion of the chute in lowered position with the gate and safety cut off in open position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View upon the line V-V of Fig.- 4.

As shown on the drawings:

There is shown a portion of a coal bin 1 from which a stationary coal feeding chute 2 extends. Hingedly connected with respect to the chute 2, there is a movable chute 3.

5, 1925. Serial No. 54,686.

ate its ends to a suspension device 8 attached upon a lug 9 on the front of the bin. The outer end of the beam 7 supports a pulley block 10 in which a pulley 11 is journalled. A chain 12 is trained over this pulley and is attached to a hasp 13 on the gate 5. The chain is connected to a cable or rope 14 which inturn is attached to the end of the movable chute.

Cables 15 are connected at one. end to the outer end of the movable chute 3 and tra ned over pulleys 16 supported at a suitable height upon the coal bin. From the pulleys 16', the cables depend and normally form loops. The opposite ends of the cables 15 are composed of chain sections anchored to the block '9. A number of counterweights 17 are attached to each cable for balancing the movable chute 3 in its elevated position. Upon the opposite sides of the chute 3 are'h'andles 18 for elevating and lowering the same.

The aforedescribed mechanism is broadly old and constitutes no part of this invention except in so far as it cooperates therewith.

This invention concerns itself primarily with a safety cut off that closes the front end ofthe stationary chute when the movable chute is elevated. In the present embodiment of this invention, this safety cut off is in the form of a hood or apron 19 having an arcuate front wall 20 to which sides 21 are attached by angle irons 22. An angle iron 23 connects the upper margin of the hood to the bottom of the movable chute. The upper margins of the sides 21 are riveted or suitably secured to lower margin of the chute 3 as shown in Figure 4.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described. When it is desired to load coal in a car or the like, the movable chute 3 is grasped by the handles 18 and lowered from coal.

the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4. The gate 5 is then opened by operating the cable 12 for the escape of After a car or the like has been filled and it is desired to shut off the coal,'the gate 5 Will be closed, and the movable chute 3 Will be elevated to the position shown in Figure 3 bringing the shut off hood or apron 19 over the mouth 'of the stationary chute 2 to prevent the escape of coal, especially if the gate 5 has not been completely closed due to lumps of coal getting caught therebeneath. It will accordingly be apparent that the hood or apron 19 serves as a safety guard for V preventing the escape of coal, in case the gate "5 is not completely closed or is defective or otherwise.

I am aware that numerous details of construction may be varied through a Wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted. otherwise than ne- 7 cessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention: 1. In a coal loading apparatus, a coal storage bin, a'stationary coal chute extending I therefrom, a swingable gate for closing said chute at an intermediate point, a movable chute pivoted to said stationary chute, a safety coal cut off member secured to an intermediate part of said movable chute for closing the mouth of said stationary chute When said movable chute is elevated, and yieldable means connecting the said movable chute and the said swingable gate for substantially simultaneous movement to prevent or to permit the escape of coal from the bin.

2. In a material loading apparatus, a coal holding receptacle, a stationary chute extending therefrom, a swingable gate for closing said chute at an intermediate point, a movable chute pivoted to said stationary chute,

' an apron secured to an intermediate part of said movable chute for closing the front end of said stationary chute When the former is elevated, for intercepting any material that may escape through said gate, and yieldable means connecting the swingable gate and the movable chute for substantially simultaneous and similar movement. In testlmony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

' MAX POIVELL. 

